COLD LAKE – A new fighter jet facility is coming to 4 Wing Cold Lake.
Minister of National Defence Harjit Sajjan announced on Aug. 27 a $9.2-million contract was awarded to Edmonton-based EllisDon Construction Services Inc. for the design of a new fighter jet facility.
“We invest in this modern infrastructure to house our future fighter aircraft because we know it’s critical to ensuring the safety and security of Canadians, as well as meeting Canada’s international obligations to NORAD and NATO,” Sajjan said in a press release. “A modern fighter jet fleet is essential for the defence of our country and its sovereignty and these facilities are vital to enabling these operations.”
The Cold Lake facility will host two tactical fighter squadrons and will cover 19,300-square metres. It will provide space for daily operations, maintenance, administration, mission planning, and simulator training. It will also house operations and support training squadrons and their training facilities.
This isn’t the only fighter jet facility planned. A second location and contract is also in the works for 3 Wing Bagotville in Quebec. The two will support the long-term maintenance and operation of 88 new aircraft being procured for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) through the Future Fighter Capability Project (FFCP).
According to the federal government, the infrastructure projects will provide significant economic opportunities for the Canadian construction industry, as well as the Cold Lake and Bagotville communities.
Construction is anticipated to begin on the Cold Lake facility by summer 2022.
